All information about Mumbai Monorail: Second largest monorail in the world

In this resource, you can find all the information about the latest transportation initiative in Mumbai – the Mumbai monorail. When was the Mumbai monorail project started, what is the route o Mumbai monorail, how will Mumbai monorail help Mumbai’s commutation problems and similar information is explained in detail in this article. You can also find interesting facts about the Mumbai monorail in this resource.

Mumbai monorail first trial run

The above picture shows the Mumbai monorail in motion which was the very first trial run of the hugely talked about Mumbai monorail. The details of the very first Mumbai monorail trial run are as follows:Route of first test run of Mumbai monorail: Wadala to Mysore ColonyDistance of the first test run of Mumbai monorail: 4.5 kmDate of first test run of Mumbai monorail: 18th February, 2012 – SaturdayResult of first test run of Mumbai monorail: Successful

What is a monorail?

The Mumbai monorail is the first monorail in India. A monorail is basically a transportation system very similar to the railways but yet very different from the traditional railways. The word monorail can be split as 'mono'+'rail' which means single railway. The distinguishing factor about monorail is that it is a single track. The vehicle on the track is wider than the track itself. The monorail is run on electric supply and the Mumbai monorail will also be using an electric supply for the operation in the suburbs. The first monorail came into existence in Russia and it was patented by an Englishman. The monorails did not get much attention until recently when Japan started using the monorail successfully and the Tokyo monorail is the living example as to how efficient the monorail system really is.

Misconception regarding monorailA monorail can be either elevated, on the ground level or underground. It is often misquoted that a monorail is always elevated from the ground level. Also, sometimes rails which are elevated are called as monorails even though they are not monorails at all. The only important factor which distinguishes the monorail is that the size of the vehicle carrying passengers is larger than the track and the there is a single track. The Mumbai monorail is an elevated monorail.

Routes of the Mumbai monorail

When the Mumbai monorail will eventually be completed, the routes for the Mumbai monorail will be as follows:1. Chembur to Jacob Circle(via Wadala) – 20km2. Mulund to Borivali (via Goregaon) – 30km3. Virar to Chikhaldongri – 5km4. Lokhandwala to Kanjurmarg - 15km5. Thane to Dahisar – 25km6. Kalyan to Dombivali (via Ulhasnagar) – 27km7. Chembur to Kopar Khairane(via Ghatkopar) – 17km8. Mahape to Kalyan – 22km9. Thane to Kalyan (via Bhiwandi) – 30km The Mumbai monorail when completed will connect as many as 70 important stations in and around Mumbai including the busiest stations in Mumbai Dadar, Andheri, Dombivalli, Borivalli and Virar.

History of Mumbai monorail project

The project was passed in the Maharashtra Government Assembly by sanction of the chief minister of Maharashtra Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh in 2008. The Mumbai monorail project tender was contested by the Reliance Energy group – Bombardier Transportation with joint consultation and construction shared by Hitachi monorail, Larsen and Toubro and Scomi Rail, Malaysia. But the tender was eventually won by the Larsen and Toubro and Scomi Rail, Malaysia. The Mumbai monorail project will be completed under the supervision and testing by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). Construction for the Mumbai monorail began in early January 2009 for the route 1 mentioned in the previous paragraph corresponding to the various routes of the Mumbai monorail. A first 100m run was tested in 2010 and since then construction has begun in full flow for the first route of the Mumbai monorail. Phase 1 of the Mumbai monorail is expected to complete by 2015 and phase 2 by 2021.

The very first test run of the Mumbai monorail was conducted on 18th February, 2012. Refer to the first paragraph in this resource for more details.

Ticket rate of the Mumbai monorail

Although there is no official announcement from the authorities regarding the ticket fares of the Mumbai monorail, there are some initial test ticket rates for the Mumbai monorail route 1.

For the first route from Chembur to Jacob Circle, the ticket rates for the Mumbai monorail will start from Rs 8. The maximum fare for the Mumbai Monorail from Chembur to Jacob Circle will not exceed Rs.20, making it extremely economical transport option for the Mumbai people. Mumbai local trains are the cheapest and most efficient transport systems in the world. The Mumbai monorail will become another economical option for the Mumbaikars.

When will the Mumbai monorail start operating?

The Mumbai monorail is divided into 2 phases – phase 1 and phase 2. Phase 1 will be completed and operational by 2015. Phase 2 will be completed and start operating by 2021. As mentioned previously, the first test run is completed and soon, many test runs will be scheduled.

The first line from Chembur to Wadala is expected to be completed by May 2012. When it complete, operation of this Mumbai monorail will be inaugurated and the very first Mumbai monorail will be functioning in Mumbai by May, 2012. Soon, by June 2013, the Mumbai monorail from Jacob Circle to Wadala will also be completed and start operating. Thus, by June 2013, the first major route of the Mumbai monorail will be operational and people will be travelling from Chembur to Jacob Circle in 44 minutes by the Mumbai monorail.

How will Mumbai monorail help solve Mumbai's traffic problems?

There are various reasons why the Mumbai monorail will help reduce the traffic issues faced by Mumbai – the fastest growing city in the world. A few of the factors are as follows:• The space required by a monorail system is only a pillar. The Mumbai monorail is completely an elevated rail. Thus, with minimum space usage, an efficient transport system will come into place which will help reduce the burden of the commutation of the people of Mumbai which is so heavily dependent on the Mumbai local trains.• The Mumbai monorail will not impact the existing modes of transport in any way. Thus, till the construction is over, other modes of transport like the railways and roadways will not be affected at all.• The monorail track derailment is impossible. So, the monorail is one of the safest modes of transport in Mumbai.• The ticket fares of the monorail will be very less. Thus, people will use the public transportation system instead of private vehicles reducing the burden on the roads• With less traffic, roads will not remain crowded and traffic jams will be much less.• The Mumbai monorail will thus provide an efficient, hassle free, safe transportation alternative to a common Mumbaikar.

Interesting facts about the Mumbai monorail

• Mumbai monorail is the first monorail in India

• Mumbai monorail from Chembur – Jacob Circle will be the second largest and longest monorail in the world. Japan's Osaka monorail is the longest in the world with almost 24km of monorail route.

• Mumbai monorail from Mulund to Borivalli will become the longest monorail corridor in the world beating Japan's Osaka monorail as well. Expected length of Mumbai monorail from Mulund to Borivalli is expected to be around 30km.

• Total cost of the Mumbai monorail project is estimated to be around Rs. 20,000 crores, making it one of the costliest transportation projects in India.

• Mumbai monorail lines will connect as many as 70 stations in Mumbai when completed

• Daily commutation figures for Mumbai monorail are estimated at more than 1Lakh 25 thousand. Thus, more than a lakh people in Mumbai will be using the Mumbai monorail when it will be fully operational.

• The total length of the Mumbai monorail after completion will stand at almost 135km making Mumbai monorail as one of the longest serving monorails in the world.

• Top speed of the Mumbai monorail vehicles will be 80kmph. It is same as the local trains in Mumbai

• Mumbai monorail is completely operational on electricity requiring 750V DC line for its functioning.

• Every monorail vehicle will have 4 coaches with a capacity transporting almost 200 people in one monorail.

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